DescriptionAdults up to 100-120 mm, one calling male from Tsaratanana 96 mm. Tibiotarsal articulation can reach the nostril. Hand without webbing, foot completely webbed. Terminal discs of fingers and toes somewhat enlarged. Dorsal skin very granular. Colour dorsally brown with usually indistinct lighter or darker spots and markings. Venter whitish. Males with very distinct femoral glands (small but well visible in females), and a slightly distensible, probably single subgular vocal sac.

Similar species: Besides the two other species in this subgenus, a confusion is also possible with Boehmantis microtympanum (which has a smooth skin and enlarged discs of fingers and toes). Juveniles can be mistaken with species in the subgenus Brygoomantis, especially with Mantidactylus biporus and similar species.

Life History, Abundance, Activity, and Special BehaviorsHabits: Found along small and medium-sized rainforest streams, usually at deep and slow-flowing stretches. Calling males do not aggregate in choruses but may occupy specific territories. During the day and when disturbed, specimens retreat into deep burrows under overhanging slopes at the stream edges.

Calls: A loud and short, guttural, pulsed note, repeated after long and irregular intervals.

Trends and ThreatsIt occurs in many protected areas (Andreone and Raxworthy 2008).

Glaw, F., and Vences, M. (2007). Field Guide to the Amphibians and Reptiles of Madagascar. Third Edition. Vences and Glaw Verlag, Köln.

Written by Miguel Vences and Frank Glaw (m.vences AT tu-bs.de), Assistant Professor and Curator of Vertebrates at the Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics in the Zoological Museum at the University of Amsterdam.First submitted 2000-12-13Edited by Henry Zhu (2009-05-06)